An Exclusive Conversation with James Fleming on Leadership, Motivational Intelligence, and Choosing Success Over Excuses

By Erin McKeever

What happens when raw Glaswegian grit meets an unshakeable belief system? When a powerhouse partnership fuels a vision that refuses to stay small? You get James Fleming, Managing Director of The Power Within Training, host of the influential ‘Success or Excuses’ podcast, best-selling author, and the driving force behind a multimillion-pound leadership transformation company.

But how does a 17-year-old apprentice, starting with bleeding fingers dialling a rotary phone, build a global business that impacts leaders worldwide? In this exclusive, refreshingly honest conversation, we dive deep into the journey. James holds nothing back—the sacrifices, the soul-searching, the tough calls, and the triumphant successes.

Alongside his wife and business partner, Enas, James has positioned The Power Within Training at the forefront of leadership development, championing Motivational Intelligence (MQ); the science-backed framework unlocking human potential. This isn’t just a business profile; it’s a deeply human story about vision, resilience, and the profound self-reflection required to lead a movement. Prepare to be challenged and inspired. This is more than a Q&A; it’s an invitation to unlock your own power within.

Q: Okay, James. We have just closed your financial year-end goals for the year 2024/2025, and again, you managed to double your turnover or revenue for the fourth year in a row. What is the magic of this success?

James Fleming: Magic? Nah, there’s no magic bullet here. It’s simple, really, though simple doesn’t always mean easy. It comes down to accountability and consistency. Relentless consistency. It’s about doing what you say you will do, day in and day out. Look, you will get it wrong sometimes. We all do. But you keep moving forward. You will get knocked down; by setbacks, by challenges, by your own doubts. But you keep getting back up. Every single time. It’s about embracing the grit, learning the lessons, and refusing to make excuses for why something can’t be done.

It always comes back to that core choice: you can have success or excuses; you cannot have both. We choose success, we prefer action, and we hold ourselves accountable for that choice daily. That’s the ‘magic’ if you want to call it that.

Q: James, let’s rewind. Where did this incredible journey really begin for you?

James Fleming: Honestly? It started with sheer desperation and a Yellow Pages directory in my parents’ house in Glasgow. I was 17, with no qualifications and no clue what I wanted, just this burning feeling that I couldn’t follow my dad’s path despite him being the hardest-working man I knew. It wasn’t ambition back then; it felt like survival – this urgent need not to wake up in 30 years wondering where life went. That day, after countless calls, I landed an interview for what I thought was a TV repair job. It turns out that it was an apprentice electrician role. That mistake was one of the best things that ever happened.

Q: What core leadership lessons did those early years hammer home?

James Fleming: Everything fundamental. Grit, first and foremost. You don’t Google grit; you earn it through showing up when you don’t want to, listening more than you speak, and knowing, deep down, that no one is coming to rescue you. If you want more, you go get it. Those years taught me leadership isn’t a title; it’s how you carry yourself, treat people when nobody’s watching, and, crucially, respond when things inevitably go wrong. It all started with self-leadership; the day I decided to stop making excuses.

Q: Fast forward to The Power Within Training. What sparked its creation?

James Fleming: It was born from a potent mix of frustration and unwavering belief. I’d seen too many brilliant people held captive by their own limiting beliefs, fear, and doubt. I saw traditional training scratching the surface, missing the root causes of behaviour. I knew there had to be a deeper way. That’s when Motivational Intelligence (MQ) became the cornerstone. MQ is your ability to conquer self-doubt, manage negative thoughts, and take radical ownership of your outcomes. It’s not fluff; it’s the missing piece in leadership, grounded in decades of science. Enas and I launched in 2017, becoming the only certified Motivational Intelligence leadership provider in the UK and Europe, and haven’t looked back. We’re seeing lives and organisations transformed.

Q: You mentioned Enas, your wife and business partner. How pivotal is her role?

James Fleming: Pivotal doesn’t cover it. Enas is the foundation. She sometimes saw the potential, the vision – the clients, the recognition, the scale – before I fully grasped it myself. She’s the strategic powerhouse, the operational anchor ensuring everything runs smoothly while I focus on driving the mission forward. Indispensable is the word. Beyond the business, she’s my balance. We built this from our kitchen table. That’s the reality of entrepreneurship; messy, relentless, but incredibly fulfilling when you’re aligned on values and mission.

Q: Building a team of 16 is significant. What’s your secret to attracting and retaining the right people?

James Fleming: A compelling vision acts like a magnet. But attracting people is easy; attracting the right ones is the challenge. I’ve learned that growth demands alignment. Everyone on board must believe in the mission as fiercely as we do. That’s why we hire for mindset; for hunger, heart, and that unmistakable spark of readiness to grow. This isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. We’re in the transformation business, which requires passionate, fully engaged people. And yes, that means making tough calls. Letting go of people who aren’t aligned isn’t easy, but protecting the culture and the vision is paramount. Growth demands courageous clarity.

Q: If you could instil one lesson in every leader or entrepreneur, what would it be?

James Fleming: It’s my book’s core philosophy and life philosophy: You can have success or excuses. But you cannot have both. Stop waiting for permission, hiding, and overthinking. You don’t need all the answers to start; you just need to move. Action breeds clarity, and clarity fuels confidence. If a dyslexic apprentice from Glasgow with no formal qualifications can build this, imagine what you can do. But you must be willing to bet on yourself. Act. Learn. Grow. Believe. That’s how you unlock your power.

Q: You champion Motivational Intelligence as a game-changer. Why is it so profoundly transformational compared to IQ or EQ?

James Fleming: Because MQ governs what you do with your IQ and EQ. It’s the intelligence of resilience, commitment, and follow-through when things get tough. Talent gets you in the door, but mindset keeps you in the game. Businesses invest heavily in skills but often neglect the underlying beliefs. You can train competence, but if someone’s dragging a suitcase of self-doubt, they’ll never reach their peak. Motivational Intelligence helps people drop that baggage, rewire their inner narrative, and make high performance a habit. We teach leaders to build cultures where belief, resilience, and personal responsibility are non-negotiable. That’s when the true potential is unleashed.

Q: Let’s talk reality. What are the unspoken challenges of leading such a purpose-driven business?

James Fleming: Staying centred amidst the chaos. When momentum builds – awards, media, client growth – it’s easy to get swept away. That’s why rigorous self-reflection is non-negotiable for me. Asking, “Am I leading proactively, or just reacting?” is crucial. And honestly? Leadership can be intensely lonely. You carry the weight of your team’s livelihoods, their trust, and your vision. Doubt creeps in; cash flow worries surface. You face gut-wrenching decisions, like letting good people go because they can’t scale with the vision. That’s a hard truth: not everyone is meant for the whole journey. Protecting the future means sometimes pruning the present. It’s not cruel; it’s responsible leadership.

Q: Condense your leadership philosophy into one powerful sentence.

James Fleming: Simple: “Believe bigger. Act bolder. Lead better.” Strategy means nothing without belief. Your team won’t follow plans; they follow energy. Your energy. It needs to be contagious, consistent, and clear. That’s what we cultivate at The Power Within Training – leaders who show up with unshakeable conviction and create environments where people genuinely thrive.

Q: What does ‘success’ look and feel like for you now?

James Fleming: It’s evolved. Today, success is fundamentally about freedom. Freedom to do meaningful work, choose our partners and build a life I cherish with my wife and daughter. It’s also profoundly about impact. Seeing someone transform from fearful to fiery within our programmes. That’s a success. Getting messages from leaders who’ve revitalised their entire culture using Motivational Intelligence principles – that’s a success. My legacy isn’t just about business metrics; it’s about helping people reignite belief in themselves – their strength, vision, and capacity to lead fuller lives. That’s true wealth.

Q: For someone hovering on the edge of a big leap; a new business, a major career move – what’s your advice?

James Fleming: Stop waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment or ‘enough’ confidence. It doesn’t exist. Just act. The most successful people aren’t necessarily the smartest; they’re the ones who bet on themselves relentlessly, failed faster, asked better questions, and surrounded themselves with mentors, not sycophants. Clarity emerges from doing, not endless deliberation. Make the call. Launch the website. Pitch the idea. And when doubt inevitably strikes, remember the choice: Success or excuses. You cannot have both. Choose decisively.

Q: What horizon are you focused on now for yourself and The Power Within Training?

James Fleming: Global scale and deeper impact. We’re already delivering across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, but the mission is to embed Motivational Intelligence as the universal gold standard for leadership. We’re expanding digital resources, growing our podcast’s reach, and developing new certification pathways. Beyond that, I’m passionate about democratising leadership; showing everyone, from parents and teachers to community leaders, that leadership is a mindset accessible to all. MQ is the key that unlocks it.

Q: James, as we close, what single thought do you want readers to carry with them from your story?

James Fleming: Your current chapter is not the end of your story. No matter where you are or how stuck you feel – you are not finished. You’re simply in a part that requires more courage. Embrace self-reflection not as weakness, but as your greatest power. Where you get honest, own your part, and commit to rewriting the narrative. You don’t need to be extraordinary, but you must start to become extraordinary. Take the action. Ditch the excuses. If you’re unsure of your path, just look at your results. The power to change lies within your next decision.

Unlock Your Power Within – Starting Now

James Fleming’s journey isn’t just inspiring; it’s a practical blueprint. From Glasgow apprentice to global leadership authority, his story proves that it’s not your starting point but the beliefs you cultivate and the actions you take that define your trajectory. Alongside Enas and their dedicated team, The Power Within Training isn’t just a company; it’s a movement dedicated to the conviction that greatness resides within everyone, waiting for the spark of choice and courage.

This interview is more than words on a page; it’s a mirror. Look into it and ask yourself: Today, am I choosing success, or am I clinging to excuses? Your answer and your next action could change everything.

FAQs with James Fleming

What exactly is Motivational Intelligence (MQ), and how does it differ from traditional leadership training?

MQ is the third level of intelligence, focused on mindset and internal drive. Unlike IQ or EQ, however, MQ is about handling adversity, resisting excuses, and committing to personal accountability. It’s the foundation of lasting leadership and behavioural change.

Who is The Power Within Training designed to help?

Our programmes support business leaders, teams, entrepreneurs, and individuals who want more than motivation; they want transformation. In fact, whether you’re scaling a company or starting over in life, Motivational Intelligence gives you the mental tools to lead and thrive.

What role does Enas Fleming play in the success of the business?

Enas is the strategic anchor of The Power Within Training. She handles operations, leads with empathy, and ensures our values of diversity, inclusion, and excellence run through everything we do. She’s the heartbeat behind the business.

How do I know if someone on my team no longer fits my business vision?

≈ Clarity is kindness. Don’t be afraid to make space for people who align with your future.

What’s the first step I can take today to move toward success and away from excuses?

Get brutally honest with yourself. Identify one excuse you’ve been leaning on—then commit to one action that moves you toward your goal. Action beats analysis every time. Start small. Start scared. Just start.

James Fleming’s journey is more than inspiring, it’s a wake-up call.

For leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to ditch the excuses and choose growth, The Power Within Training offers more than motivation—it delivers real transformation.

👉 Explore our programmes and start unlocking your own power within today.